Last week, the FDIC, OCC, Federal Reserve, CFPB and National Credit Union Administration issued a joint press release urging financial institutions to work constructively with borrowers experiencing difficulties because of the partial federal government shutdown. The agencies urged institutions to consider prudent workout arrangements consistent with sound lending practices, while acknowledging that the shutdown may be affecting the ability of customers to meet payments for mortgages, student loans, auto loans and credit cards. “The agencies realize that the effects of the federal government shutdown on individuals should be transitory, and prudent efforts to modify terms on existing loans should not be subject to examiner criticism,” they stated.